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History Tea Time

Charlemagne’s Many Wives & Concubines

History Tea Time

Lindsay Holiday

History

4.5566 Ratings

🗓️ 28 April 2026

⏱️ 30 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Charlemagne is a central figure in European history. In the 700s he conquered a vast empire. He is considered the progenitor of the French monarchy, several Germany dynasties and more. He even forced the Pope to crown him Holy Roman Emperor. But while Charlemagne was busy converting pagans to Christianity at sword point, his love life was far from holy. The great emperor had 4 or 5 wives, the relationship statues of one has long been debated for a very cruel reason. And at least 4 concubines. Many of his romantic entanglements were going on simultaneously. And the influence these women had on imperial politics shocked clerics of the day. In total, they presented the king with 18 children. And so many heirs planted the seeds for the destruction of the Carolingian Empire. Today let’s meet Emperor Charlemagne’s many wives and concubines. Wives: Himiltrude Desiderata of the Lombards Hildegard of the Vinzgau Fastrada Luitgard Concubines: Gersuinda Madelgard Regina Ethelind Join me every Tuesday when I'm Spilling the Tea on History! Check out my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/lindsayholiday Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091781568503 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyteatimelindsayholiday/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@historyteatime Please consider supporting me at https://www.patreon.com/LindsayHoliday and help me make more fascinating episodes! Intro Music: Baroque Coffee House by Doug Maxwell Music: Folk Round by Kevin MacLeod #HistoryTeaTime #LindsayHoliday Please contact ⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

This episode is brought to you by Expedia and Visit Scotland.

0:04.6

Start your story in Scotland.

0:06.9

Experience the pool of wide, untamed landscapes and fresh cuisine that feels rooted in place.

0:13.6

Discover castles steeped in legend.

0:16.6

And feel the genuine warmth from locals you meet in a place that will stay with you long after

0:22.2

you leave. Start planning your own Scottish holiday today at Expedia.co.uk slash visit Scotland.

0:30.4

Grownups, if there's a child in your life who is interested in, curious about or fascinated

0:35.4

by people in places from history, then my podcast,

0:38.8

the past and the curious, might just be a hit in your home.

0:42.8

From the invention of microscopes to world traveling dogs to fashions of the 1890s, gold

0:47.8

rush ghost towns, and audiences going wild for walking competitions, we've got a little bit

0:54.0

of it all.

0:55.0

Hosted by Children's Author and Museum educator Mick Sullivan, that's me, the show is fun, funny,

1:00.9

engaging, honest, and beloved by kids and parents alike.

1:04.9

Find the past and the curious at all the usual podcast places.

1:10.4

Music all the usual podcast places.

1:18.6

Hello and welcome to History Tea Time. I'm Lindsay Holiday and I'm spilling the tea on history.

1:26.6

Charlemains, manyives and Concubines

1:30.3

Charlemagne is a central figure in European history.

1:36.3

In the 700s he conquered a vast empire.

1:39.3

He is considered the progenitor of the French monarchy, several German dynasties, and he even

1:46.3

forced the Pope to crown him the first Holy Roman Emperor.

...

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